Heat sink for integrated circuit devices

ABSTRACT

A resistor with heat sink is provided. The heat sink includes a conductive path having metal or other thermal conductor having a high thermal conductivity. To avoid shorting the electrical resistor to ground with the thermal conductor, a thin layer of high thermal conductivity electrical insulator is interposed between the thermal conductor and the body of the resistor. Accordingly, a resistor can carry large amounts of current because the high conductivity thermal conductor will conduct heat away from the resistor to a heat sink. Various configurations of thermal conductors and heat sinks are provided offering good thermal conductive properties in addition to reduced parasitic capacitances and other parasitic electrical effects, which would reduce the high frequency response of the electrical resistor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of copending U.S.application Ser. No. 10/905,546, filed on Jan. 10, 2005, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to heat sinks, and more particularly to heat sinksfor integrated circuit devices such as resistors including precisionresistors.

BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION

In operation of an integrated circuit, some of the devices in theintegrated circuit will generate heat. This is particularly true forsome types of devices, including, for example, resistors. Also, somedevices in integrated circuits are susceptible to heat and may havecertain electrical characteristics negatively influenced by heating.Heating effects can be especially harmful to high precision devices,where the heating effects ruin the precision with which the particulardevice operates.

For example, a high precision resistor, which is designed to carry arelatively large amount of current, will generate substantial amounts ofheat. The heat generated by the precision resistor will heat theresistor itself (“self-heating”) thereby altering the resistance of thehigh precision resistor. The self-heating effects experienced by anintegrated circuit device can be further exacerbated by the integratedcircuit device being surrounded by a poor heat conductor which impedesheat dissipation. Typically, electrical insulators which also have poorheat conduction properties surround many integrated circuit devices.Thus, the design of many integrated circuit devices increase the devicessusceptibility to the negative effects of self-heating.

Accordingly, it may be advantageous for some types of electrical deviceswithin an integrated circuit to be in thermal contact with a heat sinkthrough a thermal conductive path. Additionally, the better the thermalconductor of the conductive path, the more heat may be dissipated by theheat sink, allowing the electrical device to function at higher currentlevels without destroying itself due to heat. Also an electrical devicewith a heat sink may better operate within narrow design specificationswhile conducting large amounts of current.

It should be noted that the best thermal conductors are typically alsoelectrical conductors. Additionally, contacting an electricallyconducting thermal conductor to an electrical device and a heat sinkwill typical short the electrical device to ground. Accordingly, athermal path is needed which conducts heat well, but does not conductelectricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, a heat sink includes a firstelectrical insulator having a high thermal conductivity and configuredto contact an electrically resistive pathway and an electrical conductorhaving a high thermal conductivity arranged in thermal contact with thefirst electrical insulator.

In another aspect of the invention, a resistor includes an electricallyresistive path arranged in a first substrate, and an electricalinsulator having a high thermal conductivity arranged in thermal contactwith the electrically resistive pathway. The resistor also includes asecond substrate arranged adjacent the electrical insulator, and anelectrical conductor having a high thermal conductivity arranged in thesecond substrate and in thermal contact with the electrical insulator.

In another aspect of the invention, a thermal interface in an integratedcircuit includes a high thermal conductivity electrical insulator filmadjoining a first electrical conductor and a second electricalconductor.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of cooling a resistorincludes forming a first electrical insulator having a high thermalconductivity in thermal contact with an electrically resistive pathway,and forming a substrate adjacent the electrical insulator. The methodalso includes forming a first electrical conductor having a high thermalconductivity within the second substrate and in thermal contact with theelectrical insulator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a top view illustration of an embodiment of a resistorconnected to a heat sink in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to, for example, heat sinks for integrated circuitdevices such as resistors including precision resistors. In embodimentsof the invention, a heat sink contact is arranged next to a conductivesubstrate or thermal conductor having good thermal conductivity inaddition to being able to conduct electricity with a relatively thinlayer of high thermal conductivity electrical insulator therebetween.The thermal conductor forms an efficient thermal pathway to a heat sink,and because a high thermal conductivity electrical insulator isinterposed between the electrical resistor and heat sink contact, theheat sink contact may be made from a metal or other electrical conductorwith good heat conduction properties. This provides good thermalconduction without electrically shorting the electrical resistor toground. The heat sink contact thermal conductor provides enhancedcooling for the electrical resistor, allowing the electrical resistor toconduct higher levels of current without failure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a heat sink 100 includes a conductive substrate 10which may be located between two shallow trench insulators 12. Theconductive substrate 10 may be formed by any of the methods well knownin the art for forming a conductive substrate in a semiconductor such asarranging a polysilicon conductive path on a substrate. The shallowtrench isolation 12 may be formed by any of the methods well known inthe art for forming shallow trench isolation, such as forming a trenchand depositing an oxide in the trench.

A high thermal conductivity electrical insulator (HTCEI) film or layer14 is formed in thermal contact with the conductive substrate 10.Examples of high thermal conductivity electrical insulator films used inall aspects of the invention include thin layers of, for example,aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), beryllium oxide, (BeO), cerium oxide (CeO₂), andcobalt oxide (CoO). Because the HTCEI film 14 is formed in a relativelythin layer, the HTCEI film 14 provides electrical insulation whilehaving a reduced interference with thermal conduction between theconductive substrate 10 and surrounding materials.

A heat sink contact 18 is positioned in thermal contact with the HTCEIfilm 14. The heat sink contact 18 may be made from a metal such astungsten or copper and may take the form of a metal filling a via hole.Also adjacent the HTCEI film 14 is a high conductivity insulator 16. Thehigh conductivity insulator 16 surrounds the lower section of the heatsink contact 18, as well as being in thermal contact with the HTCEI film14. On top of the high conductivity insulator 16 and in contact withsides of the heat sink contact 18, is an electrical insulator 17. Theelectrical insulator 17 may or may not be a high thermal conductivitymaterial. On top of and in thermal contact with the heat sink contact 18is a metal contact 20. The metal contact 20 thermally connects the heatsink contact 18 to the circuit device which is cooled by the heat sink100.

Referring to FIG. 2, a resistor structure 200 is shown. Similar to theheat sink 100 of FIG. 1, the resistor structure 200 of FIG. 2 includes aHTCEI film 14 to provide electrical insulation and good thermalconduction. Additionally, the resistor structure 200 includes anelectrical resistor 11. On top of the electrical resistor 11 is a HTCEIfilm 14, and on top of the HTCEI film 14 is a high thermal conductivityinsulator 24. Passing through a via hole in the high thermalconductivity insulator 24 is a via metal acting as a heat sink contact18. The heat sink contact 18 passes through the high thermalconductivity insulator 24 and contacts the HTCEI film 14. On top of theheat sink contact 18 is a metal contact 20 which thermally connects theelectrical resistor 11 to the heat sink. The electrical resistor 11 mayalso include any type of semiconductor device.

At each end of the electrical resistor 11 are electrical contacts 26which lead to wires 28. The wires 28 and electrical contacts 26 providethe input and output to the electrical resistor 11. The ends of theelectrical contacts 26 which are contacting the electrical conductor 11,are surrounded by the high thermal conductivity insulation 24.

In operation, the wires 28 and electrical contacts 26 provide anelectrical input and output to the electrical resistor 11. Theelectrical resistor 11 is heated when current runs therethrough. Heatwill then flow from the electrical resistor 11 into the HTCEI film 14,and then into the high thermal conductivity insulator 24 along thermalpaths 19. Once in the high thermal conductivity insulator 24, heat willflow towards the heat sink contact 18 along thermal paths 21.Additionally, heat will flow from the electrical resistor 11 through theHTCEI film 14 into the heat sink contact 18 through thermal path 23.Once in the heat sink contact 18, heat will flow into the metal contact20 along thermal path 25 to a heat sink similar to the heat sink 100 ofFIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a heat sink structure for highfrequency applications in accordance with the invention is shown. Theheat sink structure 300 includes an electrical resistor 11 with a HTCEIfilm 14 thereon. The electrical resistor 11 may include a poly siliconelectrical conductive path, and/or a thin metal film. A high thermalconductivity insulator 30 is arranged under the electrical resistor 11and on top of a nitride layer 32 (also referred to an insulator). Thenitride layer 32 may also be a HCTEI film. A high thermal conductivityinsulator 34 is formed on top of the HTCEI film 14 which is surroundedby an interlevel dielectric (ILD) 47. A layer of ILD 49 separates thenitride insulator 32 and the substrate 52 from one another. At one endof the electrical resistor 11 is an electrical contact 36 which is incontact with a metal wire 38.

At an end of the electrical resistor 11 opposite the electrical contact36 is a heat sink contact 40. The heat sink contact 40 passes throughthe thick high thermal conductivity layer 34 and is in contact with, andpasses through the HTCEI film 14 to make thermal and electrical contactwith the electrical resistor 11. On top of the heat sink contact 40 is ametal contact 42. Attached on a bottom of the metal contact 42 and nearthe heat sink contact 40 is a first thermal conductor 44. (heat sinkcontact 40 is used both as an electrical contact and also to conductheat to the heat sink).

The first thermal conductor 44 passes through the high thermalconductivity insulator 30 and the nitride layer 32, and makes thermalcontact with a metal contact 20. The metal contact 20 makes thermalcontact to the heat sink (100) through heat sink contact 18 in FIG. 1.The first thermal conductor metal contact 20 are made from a highthermal conducting material such as a metal. The structure of the metalcontact 20 and heat sink contact 18 and HTCEI film 14 are located ateach end of the electrical resistor 11, where the metal contact 20 is incontact with the nitride layer 32.

In operation, current flows from one end of the electrical resistor 11to the other end through the electrical contact 36 and metal wire 38 atone end and the heat sink 40 and metal contact 42 at the other end. Heatgenerated by the current flowing through the electrical resistor 11 isconducted into the heat sink contact 40 along thermal paths 31 and 33and into the metal contact 42 along path 35. After passing through themetal contact 42, heat flows through the first thermal conductor 44indicated by thermal path 37 into the second thermal conductor 46indicated by path 39 and 41 to the substrate 52.

Also, during current flow, heat passes from the electrical resistor 11through the high thermal conductivity insulator 30 along the length ofthe electrical resistor 11 indicated by the thermal path 43. Afterpassing into the high thermal conductivity insulator 30, the heat passesinto the nitride layer 32 and then into the metal contact 20 alongthermal path 45. Once in the metal contact 20, the heat flows along thethermal path indicated by arrows 39 and 41 into the substrate 52. Theresistor with heat sink 300 has relatively good high currentcharacteristics due to the heat sink at one end of the electricalresistor while maintaining relatively good high frequency response byhaving a reduced parasitic capacitance and other parasitic effects.

Another thermal path includes heat flowing from the electrical resistor11 into and through the HTCEI film 14 and into the high thermalconductivity insulator 34 along thermal path 51. Heat then flows alongthermal path 53 along the length of the high thermal conductivityinsulator 34 into the heat sink contact 40. Additionally, heat may flowalong the thin high thermal conductivity layer 14 into the heat sinkcontact 40. The heat may then be dissipated through the thermal pathsdenoted by arrows 33, 35, 37, 39 and 41 (shown on the left side of FIG.3).

Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the resistor with heat sinkstructure 400 for low frequency applications in accordance with theinvention is shown. The resistor with heat sink structure 400 includesan electrical resistor 11 connected to an electrical contact 36 at oneend and a heat sink contact 40 at the other end. The electrical resistor11 is arranged on top of a high thermal conductivity insulator 30 whichsits on top of a insulator 32, such as a nitride layer. A HTCEI film 14is formed on the electrical resistor 11, and a high thermal conductivityinsulator 34 is formed on the HTCEI film 14. The electrical contact 36and the heat sink contact 40 both pass through the high thermalconductivity insulator 34 and HTCEI film 14 to make thermal andelectrical contact with the electrical resistor 11.

The nitride layer 32 is arranged on top of a metal substrate 54. Themetal substrate 54, in turn, is arranged on top of an ILD layer 49 whichis placed upon the top of a substrate 52. The metal substrate 54 is alsoin thermal communication with the heat sink contact 18. Additionally, anILD layer 47 is on top of the thick high thermal conductivity insulator34.

The electrical contact 36 is connected to a metal wire 38 and the heatsink contact 40 is connected to a metal contact 42. Together, theelectrical contact 36 and heat sink contact 40 provide an electricalinput and output to the electrical resistor 11. In addition to the heatsink contact 40, a first thermal contact 44 is connected to the metalcontact 42. The first thermal contact 44 extends through the highthermal conductivity insulator 30 and the nitride layer 32, and isconnected to the metal substrate 54. Connected to the bottom of a metalsubstrate 54 is a heat sink contact 18. The heat sink 18 is connected tothe substrate 52 through a HTCEI film 14.

During operation of the resistor 10, heat flows into the heat sinkcontact 40 along thermal path 31 and then along thermal path 33 into themetal contact 42. Heat may then flow through the metal contact 42 alongthermal path 35 and into the first thermal conductor 44. Heat flowsthrough the first thermal conductor 44 along thermal path 37 into themetal substrate 54. Heat may next flow through the metal substrate 54along thermal path 55 into the heat sink contact 18. Heat then passesthrough the heat sink contact 18 along heat flow path 41 through theHTCEI film 14 and into the substrate 52.

Additionally, heat may flow from the electrical resistor 11 through thehigh thermal conductivity insulator 30 and nitride layer 32 into themetal substrate 54 along a heat flow path generally indicated by thermalpath 59 and thermal path 89 at opposing ends of the structure. Withinthe metal substrate 54, heat flows towards each end of the metalsubstrate 54 along thermal paths 57 and 87 and through the heat sinkcontact 18 along heat flow paths 41 and 81, respectively. Heat thenpasses through the HTCEI film 14 into the substrate 52.

Referring to FIG. 5, a top view of a resistor and heat sink structure500 in accordance with the invention is shown. The resistor with heatsink 500 includes an electrical resistor 11. Metal wires 38 at each endof the electrical resistor 11 electrically communicate with theelectrical resistor 11 through electrical contacts 36. Metal contacts 38provide electrical input and output to the electrical resistor 11.

At one end of the electrical resistor 11 is a metal contact 63. Themetal contact 63 is in thermal communication with the electricalresistor 11 through heat sink contact 61. Additionally, the metalcontact 63 is in thermal communication with a heat sink through thermalpaths 65 which are arranged below the metal contact 63.

In operation, electrical contacts 38 provide a path for electricalcurrent to flow into and out of the electrical resistor 11 throughelectrical contacts 36. The metal contact 63 provides a portion of athermal path at one end of the electrical resistor 11 in conjunctionwith the heat sink contacts 61 and thermal path 65 for heat to flow fromelectrical resistor 11 to a heat sink.

Referring to FIG. 6, an embodiment of a resistor with heat sink 600 inaccordance with the invention is shown. It should be noted that theresistor with heat sink 600 will have superior high frequency responseproperties while still maintaining good heat conduction due to thethermal conductive pathways at each end of the electrical resistor.

The resistor with heat sink 600 of FIG. 6 includes an electricalresistor 11 covered by an insulating film 15 such as a nitride film. Theinsulating film 15 is covered by a high thermal conductivity insulator56. The electrical resistor 11 is placed upon an insulating substrate30, which is arranged on top of an electrical insulator 32 such as anitride film. The electrical insulator 32 is supported at each end by athird thermal conductor 46 and ILD 49. The ILD layer 49 is arranged ontop of a substrate 52.

On top of the high conductivity insulator 56 is ILD 47. Electricalcontact with the electrical resistor 11 is made by electrical contacts36 and 58, which pass through the ILD 47, the high conductivityinsulator 56 and the insulator 15 to make electrical contact with theelectrical resistor 11. The electrical contacts 36 and 58 are alsoconnected to metal wires 38 and 60, respectively (e.g., active resistorcontacts similar to the other embodiments). Accordingly, the electricalcontacts 36 and 58 provide the electrical input and output to theelectrical resistor 11.

Contacting each end of the electrical resistor 11 are heat sink contacts40 and 62 which are connected to metal contacts, 42 and 64,respectively. The metal contact 42, shown on the left side of FIG. 6, isconnected to a heat sink substrate 52 through the thermal conductor 44,and HTCEI film 14. The metal contact 64 is similarly connected to theheat sink substrate 52.

When electrical current passes through the electrical resistor 11, heatgenerated by the electrical current passes into the surroundingsubstrates through various thermal paths and into the substrate. Forexample, heat may flow from an end of the electrical resistor 11 alongthermal path 31 into the heat sink contact 40. The heat then flowsthrough contact 40 along thermal path 33 into metal contact 42 where itpasses along thermal path 35 into the first thermal conductor 44. Inthermal conductor 44, heat follows along path 37 and into the metalcontact 20. The heat passes through the thermal path 39 of the metalcontact 20 and through the thermal path 41 of the heat sink contact 18to pass through the HTCEI film 14 and into the substrate 52. A similarheat flow process occurs at the opposite end of the electrical resistor11, represented by thermal paths 69, 71, 73, 75, 79 and 81 (discussedbelow).

Additionally, heat from the end of the electrical resistor 11 may flowthrough the insulating substrate 30 into the nitride layer 32 alongthermal path 43. The heat may then flow along the insulating substrate30 and electrical insulator (e.g., nitride layer) 32 along thermal path45 into the metal contact 20 and to the substrate 52 along the pathalready described. A similar heat flow process occurs at the oppositeend of the electrical resistor 11, as represented by thermal paths 67,77, 79 and 81.

Heat may also flow from the electrical resistor 11 into the high thermalconductivity insulator 56 lengthwise along the thermal path 83 towardsthe heat sink contact 62. Once in the heat sink contact 62, heat mayflow along thermal path 71 into the metal contact 64. The heat may thenflow along thermal path 73 through the metal contact 64 and through thethermal conductor 66 along thermal path 75. Heat may pass into the metalcontact 20 and pass therethrough along thermal path 79 into the heatsink contact 18.

Additionally, heat may flow from the electrical resistor 11 into theinsulating substrate 30 and into the nitride layer 32 along thermal path67. Heat may flow along the insulating substrate 30 and the thermal path77 toward the thermal conductor 66 and then follow the previouslydescribed thermal path to the substrate 52.

Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the resistor with heat sink 700 inaccordance with the invention is shown. The resistor with heat sink 700is a hybrid structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. In addition to thefeatures shown in FIG. 6, for example, the resistor with heat sink 700of FIG. 7 includes a metal substrate 54 positioned between theelectrical insulator 32 and the ILD 49, which is arranged on top of asubstrate 52. The structure of FIG. 7, however, does not include thesecond thermal conductor of FIG. 6, which is now represented by themetal substrate.

The resistor with heat sink 700 will have superior high currentproperties due to the increased mass of the thermal conductive pathways,provided by metal substrate 54. However, in embodiments, the structure700 will have reduced high frequency response due to parasiticcapacitance and other parasitic electrical effect of the metal substrate54. When electrical current passes through the electrical resistor 11,heat generated by the electrical current passes into the surroundingsubstrates through the various thermal paths and into the substrate, asdiscussed with reference to FIG. 6.

For example, heat may flow from the electrical resistor 11 into the highthermal conductivity insulator 56 lengthwise along the thermal path 83(or 53) towards the heat sink contact 62 (or 40). Using the thermal path83, as one example, once in the heat sink contact 62, heat may flowalong thermal path 71 into the metal contact 64. The heat may flow alongthermal path 73 through the metal contact 64 and through the thermalconductor 66 along thermal path 75. Heat may then pass into the metalsubstrate 54 by passing along thermal path 79 into the heat sink contact18 along thermal path 81. The heat then passes through the thin highthermal conductivity insulator 14 into the substrate 52.

In addition to the heat paths of FIG. 6, heat may flow from theelectrical conductor 10 through the insulator 30 and through the nitridelayer 32 into the metal substrate 54 along thermal path 85. Heat maythen flow along the length of the thermal substrate 54 along thermalpaths 57 and/or 87 and into heat sink contact 18, where it flows alongthermal paths 41 and/or 81, respectively, and through the HTCEI film 14into the substrate 52. A similar heat flow process occurs at theopposite end of the electrical resistor 11.

Referring to FIG. 8, a top of view of an embodiment of a resistor withheat sink structure 800 similar to those of embodiments 600 and 700 isshown. The resistor with heat sink structure 800 includes an electricresistor 10 having metal wires 38 connected to the electrical resistor11 with electrical contacts 36 located at the electrical input andoutputs of the electrical resistor 11. Also included at each end of theelectrical resistor 11 are metal contacts 63 and 64. The metal contacts,63 and 64, are connected to the electrical resistor 11 through heat sinkcontacts, 61 and 62, respectively. The metal contacts, 63 and 64, are inthermal communication with a heat sink through thermal conductive paths,65 and 66, respectively.

In operation, the electrical contacts 38 are the current inputs andoutputs of the electrical resistor 11. The heat sink contacts, 61 and62, conduct heat from the electrical resistor 11 into their respectivemetal contacts 63 and 64. Heat then flows from the metal contacts, 63and 64, to a heat sink through thermal paths, 65 and 66, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 9, an embodiment of the resistor with heat sink havinga metal guard ring 900 in accordance with the invention is shown. Theresistor with heat sink 900 includes electric resistor 10 with metalwires 38 connected to the electrical resistor 11 through electricalcontacts 36. At one end of the electrical resistor 11 is a metal contact63. The metal contact 63 is connected to the electrical resistor 11through a heat sink contact 61. The metal contact 63 is also connectedto a metal guard ring 70 through a thermal conductor 65. The metal guardring 70 is a metal ring, which defines a metal enclosure around theoutside of the electrical resistor 11. The metal guard ring 70 isthermally connected to the heat sink through thermal conductor 74. ILD72 may be placed in the region between the electrical resistor 11 andthe metal guard ring 70.

In operation, electrical contacts 36 and metal wires 38 provide anelectrical input and output to the electrical resistor 11. Heatgenerated in the resistor from current flow is conducted out of theelectrical resistor 11 and into a heat sink through heat sink contact61, metal contact 63 and thermal conductor 65 to the guard ring 70. Heatthen flows from the guard ring 70 through thermal contact 74 to a heatsink.

Referring to FIG. 10, an embodiment of the resistor with a narrow heatsink 1000 is shown. The resistor with narrow heat sink 1000 includes anelectrical resistor 11. At each end of the electrical resistor 11 areelectrical contacts 74, which are in electrical communication with theelectrical resistor 11 through contacts 76.

Additionally, a stub 84 of electrical resistor material is connected tothe electrical resistor 11, and a length of electrical resistor material78 is connected to the stub 84. The electrical resistor material 78 isthermally connected to a metal contact 82 through thermal conductors 86.The thermal conductors 86 also connect the metal connector 82 to athermal conductor 80 to a heat sink.

In operation, the electrical contact 74 provides input and output to theelectrical resistor 11. Heat produced in the electrical resistor 11 fromcurrent flowing is conducted away from the electrical resistor 11 by thestub 84 into the electrical resistor material 78. The thermal conductors86 and metal contact 82 conducts heat from the electrical resistormaterial 78 of electrical resistor material into the heat sink 80.

While the invention has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modifications and in the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

1. A heat sink comprising a first electrical insulator having a highthermal conductivity and configured to contact an electrically resistivepathway and an electrical conductor having a high thermal conductivityarranged in thermal contact with the first electrical insulator, and anitride layer formed on the electrical conductor having a high thermalconductivity and a second high thermal conductivity insulator formed ontop of the nitride layer, wherein the nitride layer is between theelectrically resistive pathway and the electrical conductor having ahigh thermal conductivity.
 2. The heat sink of claim 1, wherein thefirst electrical insulator provides electrical insulation while having areduced interference with thermal conduction between the electricallyresistive pathway and surrounding materials.
 3. The heat sink of claim1, further comprising a high thermal conductivity insulator which is inthermal contact with the first electrical insulator and surrounds a heatsink contact.
 4. The heat sink of claim 3, further comprising a thermalpassage formed from the electrically resistive pathway towards the heatsink contact via the conductivity insulator or the electrical conductorhaving a high thermal conductivity.
 5. The heat sink of claim 1, whereinthe electrically resistive pathway is formed on top of the electricalconductor having a high thermal conductivity.
 6. The heat sink of claim1, further comprising a thermal pathway formed through heat sinkcontacts via a metal contact interposed therebetween and into the firstelectrical insulator having a high thermal conductivity.
 7. The heatsink of claim 6, wherein the thermal pathway includes a metal substrateprovided below the electrically resistive pathway and spanning betweentwo of the heat sink contacts.
 8. The heat sink of claim 7, wherein thethermal pathway is provided on opposing sides of the heat sink contact.9. The heat sink of claim 7, wherein the metal substrate is a secondelectrical insulator arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinallength of the electrically resistive pathway.
 10. The heat sink of claim6, wherein the thermal pathway is provided on opposing sides of the heatsink contact.
 11. The heat sink of claim 1, wherein the first electricalinsulator comprises at least any one of Al₂O₃, CeO₂, CoO or BeO.
 12. Theheat sink of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor having a highthermal conductivity comprises at least one of copper and tungsten. 13.The heat sink of claim 1, further comprising a thermal pathway formedthrough heat sink contacts via a metal contact interposed therebetweenand into the first electrical insulator having a high thermalconductivity.
 14. The heat sink of claim 1, further comprising a thirdhigh thermal conductivity insulator on top of the first electricalinsulator having a high thermal conductivity.
 15. A heat sink comprisinga first electrical insulator having a high thermal conductivity andcontacting an electrically resistive pathway, a first electricalconductor having a high thermal conductivity arranged in thermal contactwith the first electrical insulator, a second electrical insulatorhaving a high thermal conductivity contacting the electrically resistivepathway and a second electrical conductor having a high thermalconductivity arranged in thermal contact with the second electricalinsulator, wherein the first electrical conductor passes through thesecond electrical insulator to make contact with the first electricalinsulator.
 16. A resistor, comprising: an electrically resistive patharranged in a first substrate in an integrated circuit; an electricalinsulator having a high thermal conductivity arranged in thermal contactwith the electrically resistive pathway; a second substrate arrangedadjacent the electrical insulator; and an electrical conductor having ahigh thermal conductivity arranged in the second substrate and inthermal contact with the electrical insulator.
 17. The resistor of claim16, wherein: the electrical insulator comprises at least any one ofAl₂O₃, CeO₂, CoO or BeO; and the electrical conductor comprises at leastone of copper or tungsten.
 18. The resistor of claim 16, furthercomprising a second electrical insulator having a high thermalconductivity arranged in thermal contact with the electrical insulatorand the electrical conductor.
 19. The resistor of claim 18, wherein alongitudinal length of the second electrical insulator is arrangedsubstantially parallel to a longitudinal length of the electricallyresistive pathway.
 20. The resistor of claim 16, further comprising asecond electrical insulator having a high thermal conductivity arrangedin thermal contact with the electrically resistive pathway and a secondelectrical conductor having a high thermal conductivity arranged inthermal contact with the second electrical insulator.
 21. The resistorof claim 16, wherein a thermal pathway is formed through heat sinkcontacts via a metal contact interposed therebetween and into theelectrical insulator having a high thermal conductivity.
 22. Theresistor of claim 16, wherein the electrical insulator having a highthermal conductivity is separate from the first substrate.
 23. A thermalinterface in an integrated circuit, comprising a high thermalconductivity electrical insulator film adjoining a first electricalconductor and a second electrical conductor, wherein the secondelectrical conductor passes through the high thermal conductivityelectrical insulator film to contact the first electrical conductor, thefirst electrical conductor comprises a resistor, the resistor comprisespolysilicon or a thin metal film, and the second electrical conductor isboth a heat sink contact and an electrical contact to the resistor. 24.The thermal interface of claim 23, wherein: the high thermalconductivity electrical insulator film comprises at least any one ofAl₂O₃, CeO₂, CoO or BeO.
 25. The thermal interface of claim 24, whereinthe second electrical conductor comprises a metal.
 26. The thermalinterface of claim 25, wherein the second electrical conductor isconfigured to conduct heat from the high thermal conductivity electricalinsulator film to a heat sink.
 27. The thermal interface of claim 26,wherein the second electrical conductor is configured to conduct heatfrom the first electrical conductor passing through the high thermalconductivity electrical insulator film to a heat sink.
 28. The thermalinterface of claim 26, wherein the second conductor directly contactsthe heat sink.
 29. A heat sink comprising a first electrical insulatorhaving a high thermal conductivity and configured to contact anelectrically resistive pathway and an electrical conductor having a highthermal conductivity arranged in thermal contact with the firstelectrical insulator, and a nitride layer formed on the electricalconductor having a high thermal conductivity and a second high thermalconductivity insulator formed on top of the nitride layer, wherein thenitride layer is between the electrically resistive pathway and theelectrical conductor having a high thermal conductivity; furthercomprising a third high thermal conductivity insulator on top of thefirst electrical insulator having a high thermal conductivity; and atleast one contact that passes through the third high thermalconductivity insulator and the first electrical insulator having a highthermal conductivity to make thermal and electrical contact with theelectrically resistive pathway.
 30. The heat sink of claim 29, whereinthe at least one contact comprises: a first contact at a first end ofthe electrically resistive pathway; and a second contact at a second endof the electrically resistive pathway opposite the first end.